Hockey: Ladies find it a grind at Grinstead

Chichester ladies' second team in action against Crowborough earlier in the season / Picture by Kate Shemilt

Published:14:00Friday 11 December 2015

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As our local hockey teams begin their Christmas break, two ladies’ sides signed off with league defeats.

Here are the reports - and when the hockey action resumes in January, get involved in our coverage here and in the Observer by sending your match reports and team pictures.

Get them to steve.bone@chiobserver.co.uk by 5pm Monday for inclusion in the same week’s round-up.

East Grinstead 3rds 5 Chichester PP Ladies 2nds 2

In their last league game before Christmas, Chichester knew it was going to be tough as East Grinstead were top of the table.

The home side had a couple of players that could play higher up than a third XI team and they were very good in and around Chichester’s circle.

Chi were the better team in the second half but EG got their fifth with a few minutes to go.

EG scored ten minutes in when Chi were pushing forward and left the defence exposed and man of the match Claire Young in goal couldn’t prevent them from scoring.

Chichester were a bit off-colour and couldn’t get into the match. EG broke fast and furious and caught Chi on the hop a few times. Again Young in goal came to their rescue. The home side once more pushed the ball around and were soon 2-0 up. Their centre forward scored once more before half-time.

Chichester had started to put some constructive play together and hoped this would carry on into the second half.

As the second half got under way Chi were more confident in their passing and Hauxwell made some excellent runs to make the EG defence step up their game.

Greenaway in central midfield was making some awesome tackles and Manyarara at the back intercepting more of the play. Despite this, EG got their fourth. Soon after, from a narrow angle, Jessop scored, giving Chichester hope.

This did spur them on and they were soon awarded a penalty corner from which Hauxwell scored. Chi were the better team in the second half but EG got their fifth with a few minutes to go.